Bassil gives few more 'hours' for attempt to 'avoid vacuum'

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil announced Tuesday that the FPM “will exert more efforts” and “will give more hours for the attempt to avoid vacuum,” in reference to the stalled government formation process and the looming presidential vacuum.

“Those who think that the caretaker cabinet will assume the president’s powers are mistaken, seeing as this is a violation of the constitution,” Bassil said at a press conference after the weekly meeting of the Strong Lebanon bloc.

“It will be a constitutional body that has lost its legitimacy and conformity to the National Pact and its premier is saying we should not form a government but rather elect a president. Through confrontation, he wants a government that usurps the president’s powers. He wants to take the country to a sedition, exactly like those who want a confrontation president. This is a constitutional massacre that we will not allow and we will confront it with all our strength,” Bassil added.

“We don’t want to take part (in the government), we will not grant our confidence and we’re not concerned with this. They want to force us into granting confidence to the government although we are not convinced of it or its premier,” the FPM chief said.

Addressing those suggesting that the absence of a new government would expedite the election of a new president, Bassil said: “What guarantees that a president will be elected should no new government be formed?”

As for the presidential file, Bassil said that "communication" among the various blocs is "very important".

“We visited all the parliamentary blocs to present the paper of presidential priorities, except for the ‘confrontation’ bloc (Lebanese Forces bloc), which did not give us an appointment,” Bassil added.

“Those betting on confrontation have tried their luck,” he said.

“Because we are serious, we again call for dialogue … In principle, we will deal positively with the Speaker's call for dialogue,” Bassil added.

As for presidential candidates, Bassil said the FPM “will exert efforts to start looking into names.”